Djokovic opened 2018 beset by injury and self-doubts. But the Serbian star ended a 54-week title drought in spectacular style with a 13th Grand Slam title since Wimbledon, and stamped himself a tournament favorite with a Cincinnati Masters title. One year after missing the tournament with an elbow injury, Djokovic is playing in an eighth US Open final -- although he's parlayed those appearances into just two titles, in 2011 and 2015.

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In 2009 champion Del Potro, ranked a career-high third in the world, he faces a player hungry to add to his Grand Slam resume after career-threatening injuries slowed him for years.

"We've never faced each other in a Grand Slam final, so that's something new," said Djokovic, who has won 14 of 18 meetings with Del Potro.

"When you play a big server like Del Potro, you feel pressure also on your service games. There are few other things that I have in mind, knowing him from the matches we previously played against each other."

Del Potro's take: "I didn’t expect to get these kind of emotions playing tennis again. Reaching finals, winning titles, having my highest ranking ever in this moment. Everything is almost perfect."